A quick finish and other odds and ends

First of all, wow! I have 101 followers! I can't believe it! I will try to have a little giveaway or something soon.. I'll see what I can come up with.  This week I found out my baby David has his first loose tooth!  And immediately I thought of this old Journey's End(aka Sampler Girl) freebie from 2002(?) That's when I printed it anyway.  So I stitched it up quick and finished it as to be ready for the big day.

I know it's not perfect.. it's only the 2nd time I've done a tin and the 1st time I didn't have Vonna's great tutorials! I will get better with practice. :) I would show you the inside too but I am having problems with this weird blogger uploader, it keeps turning my pictures sideways and I can't get it to turn them back.

Let me try a different way-

Oh, and it was stitched on ivory 28 ct monaco(I think) over one with one strand of DMC-

colors used are DMC 310, 817, 809, and 824. The pattern didn't have any recommended colors. I let David pick them.. except for the black for the wheels.. there is actually only three colors for this pattern but I added one more. :)

David liked that his tooth would have a 'bed' to lay on, he wanted to know if it could have a blanket too? lol

I forgot to mention last weekend I went to a clothing swap a church was sponsoring- you brought clothes you didn't want anymore, and you could look through clothes other people didn't want anymore. Or if you had nothing to donate but needed clothes, you could take some for free. I cleaned out my closet and brought a few things, and really got some nice things! I won't bore you with all of them but I did find a fabulous sweater (if it will EVER get cool enough here!) and it was so pretty I took an up close of it-since it was brown but had other threads woven into it-

It looks kind of light since it was under my Ott-lite, but it really is dark brown and has all those different colors in it too- it's so pretty!

I had to drive to a meeting in Raleigh on Thursday- my boss directed me this way I had never gone before- well my husband said we had but I didn't remember it-it was so nice! Hardly any traffic and the scenery was beautiful-

I think it will be especially pretty once the leaves start to turn! :) May have to take a trip that way again- to the Lazy Daizy maybe?

Friday my son's class and some others had a parents' picnic- moms and dads (or other loved ones) got to come eat lunch on the lawn with their kids.  I decided I would take a picture of David to commemorate the day. Well he figured out that when my camera on my phone makes the shutter sound that he could change his face just in time. So I kept thinking I got a picture of him smiling and instead I got this-

Then this-

Then this-

And finally this-

Hooray!!

And last but not least- progress on the ornament I've been working on- I haven't been stitching on this every week like I should. I need to get on the ball! But here it is so far.

I really like how the brick stitch looks on this!  Well that's it here- hope you didn't mind all the pictures! I will post again soon. 

a surprise giveaway from Edgar!

Edgar is having his annual hobbit birthday giveaway (I think that's what he calls it-lol) - do pop by and check it out here. And do check out his blog while you are there, it is beautiful and a joy to read!

another completion

Here is a Sampler Girl freebie finally framed- I can't believe I stitched it in 2008! I thought it was last year.  Granted I did wait a while to get the frame from my dad, but I must have put off framing it longer than I thought. Anyway- here 'tis-

I was going to frame Bent Creek's "Blackbird House" yesterday- got it out and contemplated removing the button before I ironed it- but didn't- there was some really bad creases in it and I was having a hard time getting them out so I kind of forgot about the button, and when I flipped it over the little blackbird was all broken.  So now I have to wait to frame it - will have to order another button.   I really need to start rolling my projects up instead of folding them- the creases are so hard to get out after so long a time. That or I need to start finishing all my projects into whatever I plan to do with them, right after I finish stitching them.

Well I was sitting in the Sonic drive-thru the other morning (I love their jr. breakfast burritos and they are only 1.00!) and while I was waiting at the speaker I saw this- I hope you can make out the moth/butterfly- not sure which it was-I think a dark colored butterfly-

It's on the yellow flower in the front. I was so glad I had my camera with me, even if it didn't turn out that great!  The kids and I also saw some deer not far from our house the other day- and got pretty close- but as soon as I got the camera they ran and I just got a couple of blobs. Oh well.

And last but not least- a sign of fall-even though it continues to be in the 90's (ugh) here-

Blogfrog test

I hate to think that because of my sporadic posting I have lost some readers- and my blogfrog widget is showing no recent Blog frog readers- now I know not everyone belongs to BlogFrog, or may forget to sign in before reading blogs- but could someone who is a BlogFrog member sign in and read my blog? I want to see if my widget it working.  Thanks! I will post more later..

a finished finish!

I can now show you the gift I made for my friend Melissa for her birthday- I stitched this up last week and put it together today.  Here is a close-up or two and a picture of the birthday girl- hope she doesn't mind me posting it! :) (or her mom, as she took the picture!)

She thought it was really neat!

a finish and frustration

Well, "G" is finally finished!

I am so happy! It took me much too long to finish this.  I have already pulled threads for "H."

I was stitching "Jane Austen on the Weather" tonight-I am using GAST Hyacinth for the lettering, and ran out wth just a few letters to go! Argh! Does anyone know an online needlework store that only charges actual postage? I don't want to pay $2 in shipping for one skein of thread. lol I know I ordered from one once but I can't remember who it was.. Wyndham Needleworks maybe?

A blog before bed..

Finally some progress to show you.. I have worked on "G" tonight.. it's gotten somewhat put by the wayside due to gifts I was working on, etc..now it is all stitched and ready for beads, which I hope to do sometime this weekend.  Given what an easy stitch this was it took me wayyyy too long!

I have also been working on a little one by 4 My Boys called "Wishing Waiting Hoping"- here is how it looks as of right now-

and while I am posting pics here is my TU SAL update- I don't even think I posted one last month!

The other day I happened to look into my ort jar, and thought, this is kind of a pretty angle for a picture too, so just for fun I took one for my update like this:

It has been a relaxing evening- due to a rearranged work schedule Rob was not watching TV tonight, so I had it all to myself after David went to bed-I am watching "The Lord of the Rings-Two Towers". I love all the LOTR movies so much but they are so long I never have time to watch them- and I really like the ents and some of the parts in this one so I decided to watch it.  Though I forgot there wasn't much of the elves and Rivendell in this one and I love them too, so I may watch "Fellowship of the Ring" next time. :) I love them all though, really.

Hanna is at her first lock-in, at a local church.  She went with a friend and from the updates I've gotten it sounds like she is having a great time.  It was for middle school kids only. :)

Ohhhhh well it is really so late here, I guess I better get to bed as I have zumba class in the morning.  Plus there is a cricket hidden in my kitchen somewhere and his chirping is starting to bug me. Hopefully I will have time to finish watching my movie sometime this weekend.. 

This n' That

Hello everyone- I have been remiss in posting again and I apologize. In my defense I did try to post from my cell phone the other day but it wouldn't go thru. I used to be able to post from my phone with no problem, now all of a sudden it isn't working. 

I don't believe I've posted my progress on "Jane Austen on the Weather" ever- I picked this because it's been sooooo hot this summer, and ironically I may not even finish it before the cooler weather hits. But I am sure here in NC it will be hot next summer too. I changed the colors on this one-sorry it's a bit blurry- I took it with my phone at work. lol

I sent the kids of to school the past couple of weeks-David started kindergarten(sniff sniff) this past Monday and Hanna started on the 25th.  And I always take pics of the first day of school so here they are-

I also framed LK's "Count Your Blessings" and gave it to my friend Holly. This is the frame I originally used for my flip-its but I will just have Dad make me another one. :)

I have currently put my other projects on hold to work on something for someone- can't post pictures cause she might see it. :) but I will once it is given.

I am also going to be listing a ton of old stitching mags and leaflets on ebay in the next day or so. I started today but didn't get very far- I have listed a few Cross Country Stitching magazines from earlier in the decade. I plan on doing the rest tomorrow, before ebay's 'free listing' promo is done. lol My ebay ID is hannasmom1198- I may have a link in my sidebar- I don't remember!

Well that's about it here- please don't give up on me, I will really make an effort to post more often. Thanks for reading!

A "G" update..

Thanks for being patient with me! Hanna starts school tomorrow so hopefully things will be back on a routine again and I will be back posting more often.  This summer has been far from lazy!  I have been making some fair progress on G though- "Summer House" is put by the wayside for now, probably will be for a while. I am going to get into fall and winter mode soon!  Here is my G as it looks today-

I also started a 4 My Boys design-"Wishing Waiting Hoping", last weekend. Didn't get very far so maybe I will post a pic after this weekend. :)

As I mentioned before Hanna starts school tomorrow- she is very nervous.  Last year was her first year at the middle school and was not a good year for her- several kids were verbally bullying her, saying no one liked her, calling her names etc.  Needless to say she is NOT looking forward to tomorrow, and I just hate it. Please keep her in your prayers- that she has a better year, and realizes what a great kid she is. I hate to see her like this.

Well, it's going to be an early morning tomorrow! I better be off to bed.  Thanks for "listening"(reading.) And for hanging in with me this summer! I know my posts have been sporadic at best. I will try to get back on the ball!

A giveaway and updates...

First, the giveaway! Not mine but I will be doing some soon...Belinda at Designs from Blue Ribbon Girl is having a great giveaway.  Click here for details!

I have been really lazy with my stitching lately- I guess it's cause it's summer and we're not in our usual routine, plus I have been doing lots of reading this summer and sometimes I get too involved in my book!

My Premier Designs jewelry party was fun, as I mentioned in an earlier post- thought I would share with you all the free jewelry I got!

They have beautiful jewelry- I need to stop looking through the catalog because I keep finding more things I want.. I think I am becoming a jewelry junkie! lol

Here is my progress on Summer House-

I'm making some progress on G too, but so far it's still all blue and gray- so I'll post a pic of that when it looks a bit more interesting. :)

I took Hanna to the eye doctor the other day- she was looking forward to it cause her sight had been a little blurry lately- she was really hoping to get glasses, believe it or not. Well she got her wish!

She really likes them and so do I. I was hoping she'd enjoy reading more now, but no such luck. :( I just love to read so much it's hard for me to understand why she doesn't!  She has a ton of books -some given to her, some we bought, that she supposedly wanted, but she never wants to read any of them. It's so frustrating!

Gifts from across the pond and progress on "G"

I received some lovely goodies in the mail today from my stitching friend Barb- we had done a little exchange a while back and she had mailed me a little stitched cushion for me and sent a pattern.. but the envelope had been torn open by the time I got it and the cushion had fallen out or was taken. So she surprised me with these lovelies-

She asked a friend of hers to make a cross just for me- I wish I could capture its sparkle in the picture- it's made with Swarovski crystals. :) Thank you so much Barb! I rarely get stitchy surprises so it made it all the more special.

I made a little progress on G this weekend- I think this one is going to stitch up quick. I hope so cause I am really far behind!

Looks very patriotic right now doesn't it? Well I suppose I better be off to bed.. hope everyone has a great week!

A busy but fun day...

This morning was zumba tone- where I worked muscles I forgot I had!  We stopped by Old Navy cause Hanna wanted some $2 camisoles- usually they are 8.50 so we had to take advantage of that! Also got David a little Return of the Jedi shirt on clearance which he loved!
A couple of months ago I signed up to do a Premier Designs jewelry party- I don't usually sign up for these kinds of things cause in the past I have not had the best of luck getting people to come. I even booked it way in advance in hopes that people would be able to "save the date" and come.  For a little while I was a bit nervous, the people I had asked couldn't come due to vacations, prior commitments, etc.  But in the end I had 6 guests (+ some daughters).  Rob made some delicious goodies for us to munch on. We had a great time and thanks to my guests and some out-of-town orders, I got $350 in free jewelry!! And this bracelet, which is a little thing our sales rep(and new friend!) gives to her hostesses-

It's so pretty and sparkly! I love it. We had a great time, and I really feel good ordering from this company- their founders are Christians, some of their profits are used to support missionary work, and all their jewelry is made in the USA!! :)

No stitching today- am being lazy. I did get a start on "G" last night- just the border so far. I'm hoping to work on it some more tomorrow. :)

Not only a stitchy giveaway, but a quilty one too!

Kim is having two great giveaways over at her blog. Run and check it out! :)

I will post more later.. gonna stitch and drink my homemade limeade. :)

Fizzy and sweet, and tart!

F is finished! And another *late* TUSAL update..

I finally finished F (is for Fairisle) in the Stitcher's Alphabet. I wish I could take a picture that would show the sparkle of the beads a little better.. will start on G Friday, hopefully!

I always seem to forget the TU SAL updates- I need to see if my calendar lists the new moons and highlight them! lol But here it is, a bit late-

Today I participated in a zumbathon for a local young mother- her husband recently died and she has three children 5 and under.  The local YMCA let us use their gym to have a zumbathon fundraiser for her.  We had a pretty good turnout; it was great.  It was three hours long, and though we did take breaks my legs are still feeling it this evening! But it was so much fun it really felt more like a party than exercise. A lot of local restaurants and businesses donated items for door prizes. I won a bottle of a local restaurant's barbecue sauce. lol I think I am luckier in blogworld. lol!

Park pics and a little progress..

Even though today was HOT - the heat index was to get up to 107- David and I went to the park early before it got too warm, and to the library.  It was hard to get any good pics of David, as he didn't stay anywhere long enough to take one, but I did get a few nice pictures of the park fountain and roses, and some pictures of a little garden they have planted at our library.

I have also made a little progress on Summer House- will post progress on F after the weeend is over.

It has been a little strange around here this weekend- Hanna went to Greensboro with her friend and their family(also our friends).  It seems odd not having her around!  She won't be back til late Monday.

Oh, and I got my partial this week- that goes where the two teeth were (the ones I got extracted)- I am so pleased. I thought it was going to go over the whole roof of my mouth but just clips right over my gums on that spot. It is very small.  Now I just have to be careful not to lose it.

Summer Freshness

Once a month the ladies at my church have a dinner together at the church. This month we had a salad theme. This is the lovely antipasto my hubby made me to take-

If anyone is interested(I know my facebook friends sure were!) -here is the recipe-

Salad:

a zucchini

a yellow squash

mozzarella pearls

cherry tomatoes

roasted red pepper (we used jarred- about a third of the jar)

pancetta(did I spell it right?)

Dressing:

extra virgin olive oil

juice of 2 lemons

salt

pepper

jarred garlic

garlic powder

basil

thyme

rosemary

terragon

All the spices in the dressings are to taste- he just added a bit of this and a bit of that til it tasted good-enough olive oil to cover the salad thoroughly. It was delicious and so light. We used fresh herbs from our garden too! I love the smell of fresh rosemary.

No stitching progress to show right now- working on Summer House tonight after I finish blogging. :) I did take a few garden pics though-I'm sorry, I just love my little garden!

These little guys just popped up on their own- I didn't even plant them! Not that I remember anyway..

Ugh.  Blogger is so not being my friend tonight. It took me forever to get this post right, it kept doing all kinds of crazy things!

I never did post that snickerdoodle recipe- is posting a recipe from a cookbook copyright infringement?

Giveaway time!

Over at Cindy's blog- she has surpassed 100 followers! Click here for details!

Believe it or not.. a finish!

Happy dance! I've been working on this little one for a while, as a lunch break project- finally sat down and finished it this weekend.  It's a Little River Freebie from their  Snow Fun series- called -what else- Snow Sweet! I stitched it on unknown hand-dyed fabric with the recommended DMC threads.

My teeth (or lack thereof) are feeling better, off and on. I didn't realize how many hard and/or crunchy things I eat until I can't eat them! lol   Thank you for all your well wishes on my last post. :)

That's about it- going to go stitch and watch me some "True Blood." I will try to blog again soon!

Ow.

I got two teeth pulled today. :( Actually it's not hurting too bad right now- thanks to the Advil I took earlier. :) But still feeling a little sorry for myself due to the very limited things I can eat right now. I have no idea what I'm going to eat for breakfast tomorrow- as I am not a big fan of cream of wheat or oatmeal..  any suggestions?

I have been stitching a little bit more- the Brooke's Books group I'm in is having a challenge right now- Brooke supplies us with an exclusive freebie and we stitch it but make it our own by adding embellishments, changing the design a bit, etc.  I don't think I am going to have mine done in time for the deadline but it's still a fun stitch, and going to be so pretty when it's finished! Here's what I have so far-

Hooray~ blogger is putting the pictures in the right places again. :)

I have also been working on an ornament from a JCS Ornament issue- that I have not gotten very far on but here it is:

I haven't worked on F yet this week- maybe tonight. I'm almost finished with my Snow Sweet snowman, so I will wait til he's done to post him.  Plus I'm too lazy to get up and get him out of my work bag. hee hee.

 We've been keeping busy this summer, aside from birthday parties the kids have been invited to, we have been invited to things as a family as well.  My pastor and his family celebrated the confirmation of one child and graduation of another- they had lots of relatives visiting and we were having so much fun we ended up going over to their house two days in a row!  Then for the 4th of July some friends invited us over to their house for a cookout- their children are about the same age as ours and are good friends as well.  We had a great time! This coming weekend the kids have been invited to another birthday party, but so far I think Sunday will actually be- a day of rest. ;) I hope so! I'm having fun but am ready to take it easy- although I guess I did do that on the 5th. LOL

Well, that's about it here- I will leave you with some more beach pictures courtesy of Marsha-

and..

one of the mountains! :)